News Category: Restaurants

Grubhub and New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association Award $100,000 in Grants to Restaurateurs

The funding awarded by the 2025 Rising Restaurateur Grant will help empower Latino-owned food and beverage establishments in New York City 

On Tuesday, October 14, Grubhub and the New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (NYSLRBLA) named 10 restaurants from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens as the recipients of the 2025 Rising Restaurateur Grant. Each restaurateur was awarded a $10,000 grant to reinvest back into their small business restaurant that can be used for business operations, staffing, equipment upgrades, marketing, or other critical needs.

“The New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association is incredibly excited to celebrate the second year of our partnership with Grubhub. For our city’s small and minority-owned restaurants, the Rising Restaurateur grant program is a vital support that enables them to cover essential expenses, invest in growth, and foster innovation. This funding will provide our restaurants with the opportunity to better serve their communities and support positive change in our industry, creating a multiplier effect that will benefit all New Yorkers,” said Sandra Jaquez, president of the New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association.

Grubhub and NYSLRBLA hosted an award ceremony at Mojitos Restaurant in Queens, where representatives of Grubhub and NYSLRBLA, offered remarks congratulating the local and independent restaurateurs who serve as the backbone of New York City’s local economy. 

Rising Restaurateur is a partnership between Grubhub, an online food delivery marketplace, and NYSLRBLA, a nonprofit organization founded to create opportunities for Latino and minority businesses to succeed in the food and beverage industry. 

“The 2025 Rising Restaurateur grant recipients, like the majority of the restaurants Grubhub serves, are small and medium-sized businesses that play a vital role in neighborhoods and communities across NYC,” said Joshua Bocian, Associate Director of Government Affairs at Grubhub. “At Grubhub, we’re committed to uplifting independent restaurants – they’re the heart of our communities – and it’s meaningful for us to help them grow and continue shaping the city’s diverse food scene.”

The complete list of the 2025 Rising Restaurateur grant recipients includes: 

  • The Bronx
    • Boca Restaurant and Steakhouse
    • El DF Mexican Patio
    • Leche y Miel Restaurant
    • Lena Trattoria
  • Brooklyn
    • Carro Café
    • Gustoso Restaurant
  • Manhattan
    • Isla Bonita
    • Tiny Tapas and Bites
  • Queens
    • Estrella Latina Bar and Grill
    • Riko Peruvian Cuisine (2 locations)

About Grubhub

Grubhub is a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting customers with their favorite local restaurants, merchants and convenience retailers. Grubhub elevates online ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Part of Wonder Group, Grubhub features over 415,000 merchants in more than 4,000 U.S. cities.

About New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association

The NYS Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (“NYSLRBLA”) is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization founded for the purpose of helping Hispanic and minority businesses succeed in commerce and industry, particularly, that of the food and beverage industry. NYSLRBLA is one of the largest business organizations of its kind with over 350 restaurant members to date, ranging from individual Latino businessmen/women owning fast food establishments to gourmet larger restaurants to lounges and bars within the tri-state area.

Block and Grubhub Partner to Scale Restaurant Operations and Enhance Consumer Payment Experience

Square’s native integration and Cash App Pay create seamless experience for both restaurants and diners

DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/OAKLAND, CA and CHICAGO – October 14, 2025 – Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) today announced a comprehensive partnership with Grubhub that upgrades restaurants’ food ordering ecosystem through an integration with Square’s point-of-sale system and the addition of Cash App Pay as a payment option for Grubhub customers. This partnership demonstrates the power of Block’s ecosystem to solve pain points for both restaurants and customers, while expanding access to millions of potential customers for restaurants.

The integration introduces two key features to the food ordering landscape. First, Square’s integration with Grubhub, announced at Square Releases last week, helps eliminate operational complexity for restaurants by enabling them to manage all orders directly through their Square point-of-sale system. Second, the addition of Cash App Pay as a payment option gives millions of Grubhub customers more flexibility in how they pay for their orders.

“At Grubhub, we’re always looking for ways to help restaurants simplify operations and reach more diners,” said Howard Migdal, CEO at Grubhub. “By integrating directly with Square’s point-of-sale system, we’re removing friction for restaurants so they can manage all their orders in one place, streamline kitchen workflows, and keep menus up to date with ease. And with the addition of Cash App Pay, we’re giving diners even more flexibility and convenience at checkout — all while helping restaurants tap into a new audience of potential customers.”

Square’s seamless Grubhub integration enables restaurants to:

  • Manage all orders directly through their Square POS system, eliminating the need for additional tablets
  • Control menus, modifiers, and inventory across channels from a single dashboard
  • Send orders directly to the kitchen, reducing errors and streamlining operations
  • Access Instant Payouts to maintain steady cash flow
  • Reach millions of Grubhub customers while maintaining operational efficiency

The integration of Cash App Pay provides diners with:

  • A new seamless payment option when checking out on Grubhub
  • Special offers and promotions for Cash App Pay customers
  • Enhanced payment flexibility and convenience

“This partnership showcases Block’s unique ability to drive value for both sellers and customers by serving both sides of the counter,” said Nick Molnar, Global Head of Sales and Marketing at Block. “By uniting Square’s operational capabilities with Cash App’s flexible payment technology, we’re creating a commerce ecosystem that benefits everyone, where restaurants can focus on delivering quality while giving customers more ways to pay.”

This partnership underscores both Grubhub’s and Block’s commitment to innovation, supporting sellers and customers with intuitive technology that makes both running a business and paying for services easier – strengthening local communities in the process. 

About Grubhub

Grubhub is a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting customers with their favorite local restaurants, merchants and convenience retailers. Grubhub elevates online ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Part of Wonder Group, Grubhub features over 415,000 merchants in more than 4,000 U.S. cities.

About Block, Inc.

Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people. Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we’re helping build a financial system that is open to everyone.

Grubhub and National ACE to Award $485,000 in Grants Through Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant

Grubhub and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), are proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant, a program made possible by grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund.

From October 1 to October 24, small, independent restaurants across the United States can apply for the chance to join a program designed to spark growth, innovation, and long-term success. Applicants who attend at least three of National ACE’s expert-led virtual Restaurant Accelerator sessions in November will be eligible to receive a $5,000 Community Fund Grant to invest directly in their business.

The program is open to U.S.-based small, for-profit restaurants that are currently operational and licensed in food preparation and service. While the grant is open to all eligible businesses, we encourage Asian American and Pacific Islander restaurateurs operating in economically disadvantaged areas to apply. For a full list of eligibility requirements, please visit: nationalace.org.

Important Dates

● Registration Opens: Oct 1, 2025

● Registration Deadline: Oct 24, 2025

● Virtual Accelerator Sessions: Nov 4, 12, 18 & 25, 2025

● Grant Recipients Announced: Nov 25, 2025

This partnership builds on the lasting impact of Grubhub and National ACE’s shared commitment to small business success. Through National ACE’s Small Business Fund, the organizations distributed $1.3 million in grants to 170 businesses in 2024 alone, providing critical support amid ongoing economic challenges. Since 2021, over $9 million in grants have empowered entrepreneurs in the communities that need it most – a testament to the strength and impact of this partnership.

“Independent restaurants are vital to the success of local economies,” said Brianna Morris, Associate Director of Community Impact at Grubhub. “By partnering with National ACE, we’re combining funding with hands-on training to help small businesses build resilience, expand their reach, and position themselves for long-term growth.”

Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE, added: “Our collaboration with Grubhub demonstrates the power of partnership in driving economic growth. Together, we are equipping small business owners with both the capital and the expertise they need to scale, strengthen operations, and create lasting impact in their communities.”

Restaurant owners can learn more and apply at https://www.nationalace.org/2025-restaurant-accelerator-grant.

Grubhub Unlocks New Sales Channels and Marketing Tools for Merchants

Grubhub restaurant partners in markets where Wonder operates can now reach more diners directly in the Wonder app.

At Grubhub, we’re always exploring new ways to increase value for the 415,000+ merchants across our platform in more than 4,000 cities nationwide. We’ve recently introduced new features and refreshed our existing brands to create additional marketing channels for merchants that drive visibility and generate more sales for our restaurant partners.

Adding Local Restaurants on Wonder

Tens of thousands of Grubhub merchants in Wonder’s existing markets are now available to customers through the Wonder app. This gives Grubhub merchants access to an additional platform – with no extra work and at no extra cost –  to reach even more customers. By sitting alongside Wonder originals and Blue Apron’s selection of meal kits and prepared meals, Grubhub merchants gain visibility among Wonder’s diner base while still benefiting from the scale and support of the Grubhub platform. 

Relaunching Seamless in New York City 

In April 2025, we relaunched Seamless to harness the long-standing love for the brand in NYC, bolstered by our history serving city residents and the strength of our corporate ordering business. Merchant partners can now market their business across Grubhub and Seamless in the city, creating more value from their Grubhub partnership. With low fees across the network, Seamless offers NYC merchants an additional channel to reach loyal customers in one of the largest markets in the country.

Access to Amazon Storefront 

Last year, we expanded our partnership with Amazon, allowing U.S. Amazon customers to discover and order from Grubhub merchants directly on Amazon.com and in the Amazon Shopping app. This continues today, offering Grubhub merchants access to Amazon’s millions of customers and extending their reach far beyond the Grubhub platform. Through high-traffic retail moments like Prime Day, the Grubhub and Amazon partnership further creates unique opportunities for merchants to capture incremental orders and boost sales.

Leveraging Grubhub For Restaurants

In addition to offering more ordering channels that drive new customers to our Grubhub merchants, we’ve also invested in marketing tools. Our self-service marketing platform, Grubhub For Restaurants, enables partners to manage menus, hours, promotions, orders, and more across both their Grubhub Marketplace listing and Grubhub Direct site, all in one place. Merchants can also tap into regular promo offers like “Treat Yourself Tuesdays” – customers receive up to 20% off their orders –  and “Freebie Fridays” – delicious free items, which help drive more customers and larger orders. 

Specifically in NYC, we refreshed our marketing package for merchants to provide more control and flexibility in how they reach diners. With our all-access package, NYC merchants receive placement on Grubhub and Seamless, no platform or maintenance fees, and visibility to Grubhub+ and Amazon Prime members. It also includes professional menu photos, dedicated account support, monthly ad credit equal to your commission rate for any ads purchased, and up to $500 per month in free promotions to help attract more customers and drive sales.

Each of these initiatives ladders up to one goal: helping Grubhub merchants grow and reach more customers. From unlocking new diners through Wonder and Amazon, to reconnecting with loyal New Yorkers through Seamless, to enhancing our self-service tools with Grubhub for Restaurants, we’re focused on expanding the sales and marketing solutions that keep merchants at the center – because when our partners succeed, we all succeed.

Chicago’s Restaurant Resilience: Grubhub Honors 31 Pandemic-Born Businesses That Beat the Odds

Despite the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago entrepreneurs across the city took a leap of faith, opening their restaurant doors during the 2020 lockdown. Today, Grubhub is proud to recognize 31 resilient business owners through the Established 2020 program, honoring those who reached their five-year milestone in 2025.

Take, for instance, Afro Joe’s Coffee & Tea in Beverly. Husband and wife duo, Kendall and Aisha Griffin opened their doors amidst unprecedented challenges but quickly became a neighborhood hub, not just for coffee but for community. Or consider CheSa’s Bistro & Bar in Avondale, owner Chesaree Rollins brought authentic Creole flavors – all gluten-free – to the city during a time when comfort food was needed more than ever. These are only a couple of the stories that highlight the spirit of Chicago’s restaurant scene, and it’s these stories that Grubhub wants to celebrate through Established 2020.

The initiative recognizes 31 small business restaurants from 25 different neighborhoods across Chicago. Each of these independent restaurants launched during a period of immense uncertainty but demonstrated remarkable strength and determination. The honorees reflect Chicago’s rich cultural diversity, with many being women-, minority-, and family-owned businesses. They contribute to the city’s vibrant food scene with cuisines ranging from Thai and Indian to Latin American and modern American.

“Our Established 2020 honorees capture what makes Chicago’s restaurant scene so special — hardworking, community-focused, and full of heart,” said Lisa Belot, Director of Corporate Affairs at Grubhub. “This program is our way of saying thank you to the entrepreneurs who took a big risk during the pandemic and created something meaningful. We’re proud to support them and celebrate how they’re helping shape the city’s food culture. Their stories show that resilience isn’t just about getting through tough times — it’s about building something even stronger.”

As part of the award, Grubhub provided over $80,000 in critical funding to support the continued growth of these restaurants. Award recipients plan to reinvest in their operations by hiring more staff, upgrading kitchen equipment, refreshing dining spaces, and expanding marketing efforts.

From Bronzeville’s Dirty Tiff’s Cafe to Uptown’s Thai Pastry Restaurant, the Established 2020 honorees have become cultural and community pillars. The full list of Established 2020 Award restaurant recipients includes:

To honor their perseverance and celebrate their impact, Grubhub will host a private celebration for our Established 2020 honorees on Tuesday, June 3rd, in Chicago. The event will bring together honorees to share their unique stories and celebrate the promising futures they are creating.

These are the businesses that didn’t just survive. They thrived, becoming essential parts of their neighborhoods and the very fabric of Chicago’s vibrant food culture.

Grubhub’s Expanding Impact Partnerships Champion Local Restaurant Businesses and Their Teams

Grubhub’s commitment to independent restaurants extends far beyond facilitating deliveries. We view these businesses as the very foundation of our success. And, we recognize the significant role the U.S. restaurant industry plays as the nation’s second-largest private employer, providing livelihoods for over 12 million people. Beneath the vibrant culinary landscape, however, lie very real challenges. Thin margins pressure restaurant operators and frontline workers face limited pathways for economic advancement, with just four percent advancing to entry-level corporate jobs and receiving the accompanying wage and experiencing growth.

This understanding fuels our year-round impact focus on supporting independent restaurants. During Small Business Month, our efforts intensified as we engaged in a series of strategic initiatives designed to bolster the thousands of independent restaurants that power our platform while simultaneously cultivating greater opportunity within the broader hospitality sector.

Grubhub is a proud founding supporter of MORE, a first-of-its-kind coalition focused on building a thriving, equitable, and enduring restaurant industry. By uniting around this common goal with other organizations, including The James Beard Foundation, Regarding Her Food, and Women In Hospitality United, we are accelerating collective impact, driving innovative solutions, and advancing economic mobility across the restaurant industry. MORE’s vision is to replicate and scale successful regional programs focused on culinary training, upskilling and career development programs, and initiatives removing barriers to entry for marginalized communities.

“Grubhub’s early support of our mission, continued partnership, and commitment to impact has been transformational for our work,” said Elizabeth Murray, Co-founder, MORE. “Together we’ve built a collaborative network across a diverse group of organizations, unlocking new opportunities for shared learning, creative partnerships, and expanded programming. Moving forward, MORE will continue to leverage our combined resources to deliver solutions that meet multiple, intersecting needs and drive enormous social and economic impact for all our stakeholders – workers, operators, employers, and the communities they serve.” 

Since 2022, the Grubhub Community Fund has worked closely with Women in Hospitality United and other founding partners on the development and launch of the MORE Coalition since 2022. Today, the Grubhub Community Fund continues to support MORE’s coalition launch and public awareness efforts. 

Our commitment to empowering restaurant entrepreneurs extends to our partnership with Feed the Soul. With grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund, we’ve helped enable the launch of the Culinary Business Network (CBN), a new digital platform designed to provide on-demand, educational resources to food entrepreneurs across the country, with grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund. For less than $1 a day, restaurants and caterers will have access to business development resources, including how to grow your customer base, streamline operations, grow your revenue, stay ahead of industry trends, and more. The CBN is designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are, providing the resources they need to scale their businesses effectively.

“For the past five years, the Grubhub Community Fund has been more than a supporter of Feed the Soul Foundation; they have been a true partner,” said Juana Collins, Executive Director, Feed the Soul Foundation. “We are excited to collaborate with Grubhub on our new Culinary Business Network digital platform, a space designed to help businesses connect, share ideas, and access valuable resources to grow and succeed. This partnership is about more than funding; it’s about building a stronger future for the culinary industry.”

Partnering with Feed the Soul for the last five years, the Grubhub Community Fund has distributed more than $1.2 million to local restaurants across the country, and our more recent support of the development of the Culinary Business Network will allow us to continue to help small business restaurants in their growth journey. 

Through our partnership with The Hatchery Chicago, the Grubhub Community Fund has helped power its Incubation Cohort. This six-month program is meant to help early-stage entrepreneurs developing a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brand – including snacks, beverages, baked goods, catering company, meal delivery, or food truck – launch their business. The latest cohort engaged in monthly sessions covering essential food and beverage business strategies complemented by hands-on exercises with helpful templates and resources to deepen their learning. The program wrapped with a pitch and sampling event for guests at The Hatchery, where participants celebrated their program graduation and journey of turning their business concepts into reality. 

Since 2023, the Grubhub Community Fund’s support has enabled scholarships to Chicago’s West Side residents participating in The Hatchery’s programs. Additionally, we support The Hatchery’s efforts to develop and provide educational resources for restaurateurs, and help entrepreneurs solidify their business plans and complete all required licensing to launch and scale their restaurants. 

Beyond these strategic impact partnerships, we remain committed to supporting local restaurants through our day-to-day operations. In NYC, we recently brought back the $1 Cheese Slice as a part of our Seamless brand relaunch, helping drive awareness, recognition, and foot traffic to more than 40 local pizzerias across the city’s five boroughs participating in the pick-up only campaign. In Chicago, we launched Established 2020, a new award program to honor the local restaurants that opened their doors in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and defied the odds to remain open today. 

Through our operational initiatives and strategic impact partnerships, Grubhub will continue showing up for our independent restaurant partners. We believe in the power of a vibrant hospitality industry and will continue to support its growth and prosperity for years to come.

Grubhub and National ACE Host Chicago Restaurant Owners and Community Leaders to Drive Innovation and Economic Empowerment

The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), in collaboration with Grubhub, convened over 60 small business owners, policymakers, and community leaders for a Small Business Roundtable in Chicago on April 10, 2025. The event served as a critical platform to elevate the voices of entrepreneurs and discuss strategies to overcome challenges and accelerate growth. The event also spotlighted several Grubhub Restaurant Fund awardees and celebrated the spirit of innovation and resilience of small business owners.

“Recent estimates show that AAPIs comprise approximately 6.5% of the Chicago metropolitan area’s population—the fastest-growing among all racial and ethnic groups. AAPI entrepreneurs, professionals, and advocates are driving innovation and business success across diverse industries,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National ACE. “By convening these conversations, we can help shape federal policies that better support AAPI businesses in Chicago and beyond.”

Chiling Tong also expressed appreciation for Grubhub’s continued partnership. Since 2021, National ACE has worked with Grubhub, which has given over $6.5 million in grants to 520 restaurant owners. The applications are from all 50 states, and these funds have been crucial in supporting independently-owned restaurants. The 2024 restaurant fund alone has created 140 new jobs and retained over 628 jobs.

“Grubhub is proud to mark five years of partnership with National ACE, supporting small businesses—the backbone of our local communities,” said Dave Tovar, SVP of Communications and Government Relations. “Through our collaboration on initiatives like the AAPIStrong Restaurant Grant program and advocacy for small business-friendly policies, we aim to create thriving environments for independent restaurants. Our success depends on them, and we remain committed to empowering local businesses to grow and thrive for years to come.”

This event provided hope for many entrepreneurs who have felt alone in their journeys. “It’s important to have community; if we’re able to lean on each other, we can go through anything. We can lift each other up. You can solve problems a lot faster when you talk and bounce ideas off each other,” said Melvin Reyes, owner of Mano Modern Cafe.

“In the age of uncertainty, this meeting gives us the chance to see the light at the end of the tunnel by understanding the resources around us. It gives us a fighting chance at survival,” said Kevin Yu, owner of 2d restaurant.

Key topics raised by small business owners included rising costs, access to capital, supply chain uncertainties, talent retention, and the need for culturally responsive resources. Solutions emphasized during the event included connecting small business owners with business bankers, reducing gatekeeping to capital access, and increasing mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs. Participants were encouraged to create banking relationships before they needed cash. “Know your banker before you need the money,” said Johnny Wilbon of Bank of America. A recurring theme was the value of peer learning and storytelling to help others navigate similar struggles. Many entrepreneurs also highlighted the importance of building trust with customers, leveraging social media, and accessing legal and financial education early in their journey.

Notable participants included Alderman Nicole Lee, Ward 11, City of Chicago; Will Shih, Director of Economic Development, Office of Senator Tammy Duckworth; Jake Kaplan, Deputy Chief of Staff & District Director, Office of Representative Brad Schneider; and Cherita Logan, District Director, Office of Representative Danny K. Davis.

During the event, Grubhub announced the new Established 2020 Award designed to support long-term success for the class of Chicago restaurants that opened during the COVID-19 shutdown. All small business restaurant owners in Chicago who opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2020 and are still open today are eligible to receive a monetary award to invest back into their small business. Applications for the award program are currently open through Friday, April 18, 2025, and will be awarded at an in-person event in June 2025.

This roundtable is part of National ACE’s ongoing commitment to support minority entrepreneurs and facilitate productive conversations around the unique challenges they face. National ACE continues to provide tailored resources and programs aimed at helping small business owners access funding and grow their operations.

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About National ACE

National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI and all small business interests and positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. National ACE strives to do this by supporting and promoting issues that impact the small business community, improving the economic development and impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions, enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs and all small businesses nationally. Learn more at www.nationalace.org.

Grubhub Champions Hometown Restaurants’ 5-Year Triumph Over Pandemic Adversity

New “Established 2020” Award Will Support Long-Term Success for Class of Chicago Restaurants that Opened During COVID-19 Shutdown

Opening a restaurant under normal circumstances is notoriously difficult, but those who did so in 2020 faced unprecedented challenges as they navigated closed dining rooms, ever-changing health protocols, and more. To honor restaurateurs who defied the odds during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grubhub is launching Established 2020, a new award program for small-business Chicago restaurants celebrating five years of success in 2025.

Eighty percent* of new restaurants close within five years, and in 2020, closures spiked 95 percent** above the annual average. Many restaurants that opened in 2020 were ineligible for state and federal pandemic relief funds, as it often required proof of business impact from previous years.

Despite the odds, a select group of restaurateurs persevered, bringing their culinary visions to life. Their resilience not only shaped their success but also made a lasting impact on Chicago’s food scene. Established 2020 is here to celebrate these small businesses and continue supporting the amazing restaurants that define the city’s diverse culinary culture. 

Starting today, Grubhub is accepting applications for its Established 2020 Award to recognize its hometown restaurants’ commitment to serving delicious food to their local community. All small business restaurant owners in Chicago who opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2020 and are still open today are eligible to receive a monetary award to invest back into their small business. Applications for the award program are currently open through Friday, April 18, 2025 and will be awarded at an in-person event in June 2025.

Learn more and apply here.*** 

“Chicago’s restaurant owners are some of the toughest, most persistent people out there, and the ones who opened in 2020 have grit and tenacity like no other,” said Isabel Perman, Director, Client Success at Grubhub. “They didn’t just survive—they built something lasting. We’re so pleased to have been a part of their incredible journey over the past five years and look forward to continuing to grow these partnerships for years to come.” 

Grubhub played a crucial role for restaurants in 2020 by helping many owners rethink their businesses overnight as they quickly transitioned from having a purely dine-in model to leveraging online ordering and delivery systems. Grubhub also reduced certain diner fees, boosted marketing, and provided delivery solutions to help restaurants serve their communities. Delivery orders in Chicago surged 98 percent from 2019 to 2020, and Grubhub was there to help ensure restaurants had the support they needed to keep their doors open to serve their communities. 

At the onset of the pandemic, Grubhub also established the Grubhub Community Fund (GCF) to support communities and restaurants impacted by the pandemic. Since 2020, the GCF has given more than $35 million directly to small-business restaurants across the country. 

Restaurants like Logan Square’s KFire and Greater Grand Crossing’s Doughboy’s Chicago overcame the challenges of opening during the COVID-19 shutdown and embody the resilience this award celebrates. Both have already been recognized with Grubhub’s Established 2020 Award for their perseverance and lasting contributions to Chicago’s vibrant food scene.

“The pandemic threw every obstacle our way but giving up was never an option. We poured everything into making our dream a reality, even when the odds were stacked against us,” said Ben Kim, Co-owner at KFire. “Grubhub gave us the tools to keep serving our food and growing our business at a time when every order mattered. Without their help, KFire probably wouldn’t exist today.” 

“Community has always been a core value of Doughboy’s Chicago. When the pandemic hit, we weren’t just adapting every day to keep our business going—we were finding ways to feed the people who relied on us. Launching during such a difficult time forced us to get creative, and Grubhub helped us stay connected with our neighbors.” said Nicole Fryison, Co-owner at Doughboy’s Chicago. “Fast-forward five years, we’re still here, still grinding, and still rooted in the community that was with us from day one.” 

Chicago’s restaurant scene is stronger because of the grit, determination, and creativity of the chefs, owners, and staff that bring the industry to life. Through the Established 2020 Award, Grubhub is proud to recognize small business restaurants celebrating their five-year milestone. This moment will continue strengthening existing relationships and build new partnerships with hometown restaurants to support their long-term success.

About Grubhub  

Grubhub is a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting customers with their favorite local restaurants, merchants and convenience retailers. Grubhub elevates online ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Part of Wonder Group, Grubhub features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. 

References

* “The No. 1 thing to consider before opening a restaurant.” CNBC Make It, March 15, 2016 https://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/20/heres-the-real-reason-why-most-restaurants-fail.html.

** “Here’s How Many Restaurants Closed During the Pandemic.” The Washington Post, June, 21 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/06/21/covid-restaurant-closures/.

***Must be 18+ and legal U.S. resident to enter. Participation in the Established 2020 Award program is subject to an entrant’s compliance with all contest rules and terms, subject to Grubhub’s verification. Grubhub partnership is not required to participate or win. See official rules here.

Introducing Grubhub’s 2025 Restaurant Leadership Council

Grubhub’s business is grounded in the idea that the technology we offer to restaurant partners helps them expand their own businesses. Along with providing tools to help restaurants succeed, we are equally committed to creating a space for peer connection, allowing restaurant owners to share experiences, insights, and feedback. This is where Grubhub’s Restaurant Leadership Council was born – and we are thrilled to welcome our 2025 cohort of restaurant leaders. 

In its fourth year, the Restaurant Leadership Council is a group of restaurant owners and operators who regularly meet with Grubhub to help us whip up new ideas on how to best serve our restaurants. We work with the council to better understand and serve the industry, listening and learning from professionals who eat, sleep, and breathe restaurant management. 

For the year ahead, we identified a group of nine small business owners – all Grubhub partners – who will join the 2025 council. These individuals own restaurants all across the country, including Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and more. To date, 50 restaurant owners have participated in the council. Throughout the council’s year-long term, we host several interactive sessions to give restaurant owners a chance to strengthen their peer relationships, provide industry insights, and share detailed product feedback to help us improve our product offering and platform for restaurant partners. 

“In the past four years, Grubhub’s Restaurant Leadership Council has become a critical channel for connecting with, offering support to, and receiving feedback from restaurant owners across the country,” said Victoria Anglin, Senior Manager, Merchant Engagement & Operations. “The restaurants on our platform have hands-on experience with using our product and technology day-in and day-out to help serve their customers and coordinate with delivery partners, so we take their feedback seriously. It’s exciting to take the first-hand feedback from our Restaurant Leadership Council meetings, and implement changes to make our platform more valuable for our restaurant partners.” 

Meet Grubhub’s 2025 Restaurant Leadership Council:

Bryan Tublin – Kitava in San Francisco, California

“Small-to-medium sized businesses are the heartbeat of American communities, and the hospitality industry is a critical contributor. My goal for joining this council is to advocate for and contribute to the health of the restaurant industry because I believe if our restaurants are strong, healthy, and vibrant, our communities will be as well!” 

Davin Wages – Malai Kitchen in Dallas, Texas

“I’m excited to share my experiences with the Grubhub platform, help with any new developments and improvements, and also network with others in the industry.

Jay Shin – Fibber’s Sports Bar & Grille in Philadelphia, PA

“I joined the council to see the direction of Grubhub and if there is anything I can do to help bring in more sales.”

Paolo Fontana – Sub-Ology in Cranford, New Jersey

“I joined Grubhub’s 2025 Restaurant Leadership Council because I’m passionate about shaping the future of the restaurant industry and supporting small business owners like myself. This council offers an incredible opportunity to meet new people from diverse businesses, exchange resources, and regularly share ideas. I look forward to collaborating, helping each other grow, and mentoring one another to achieve our goals. Together, we can address challenges, contribute innovative solutions, and drive success for restaurants across the board.”

Sergio Catinkagan – Antalia NYC in New York, New York

“I joined the Grubhub Council to contribute valuable insights that can help make Grubhub a more restaurant-owner-friendly platform. By sharing my own experiences, I hope to provide useful perspectives while also learning from the experiences of other restaurant owners.”

Taylor Mason – Taylor’s Tacos in Chicago, Illinois

“I joined the council so that I can be a liaison between the Grubhub communiTAY and the people. It is my duty to use my everyday experience and expertise to make both worlds better. Grubhub is a team of some epic individuals, and I am honored to be included.”

Tony Mekonen – Italian Kitchen in Washington, D.C.

“I joined the Restaurant Leadership Council to gain deeper insight into new product features and to provide feedback based on our experience with multiple third-party aggregator platforms. As a restaurant owner, I value opportunities to share my experiences and collaborate with like-minded business leaders from across the country. I’m excited to connect with my peers, exchange best practices, and stay ahead of industry trends that can help us grow and improve our business. Additionally, I look forward to using this platform to voice any questions or concerns regarding our experience on Grubhub, ensuring that both our customers and team continue to benefit from the platform’s innovations.”

Vinny Gallagher – Pizzata Pizzeria in Philadelphia, PA

“At Pizzata, we have a saying that goes: ‘I know something you don’t know, and you know something I don’t know. We can always learn from one another if we take the time to stop and listen.”

Wesley Li – Bowls of Rice in Chicago, Illinois

“I am excited to share my knowledge and insights with Grubhub and my peers, while also learning and growing together. Operating a ghost kitchen allows us to innovate quickly, and I’m excited to enhance our partnership by collaborating on fresh ideas that deliver even better experiences to our customers.” 

Grubhub Expands Delivery Services with Olo Dispatch to Support Merchants Across Direct Ordering Channels

More merchants can now leverage Grubhub’s delivery network on a per order basis

CHICAGO and NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2025 — Grubhub, a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace, and Olo (NYSE:OLO), a leading restaurant technology provider, have expanded their partnership to integrate Grubhub with Olo Dispatch. With Dispatch, restaurants can outsource delivery for orders generated through their own website and apps leveraging a network of third-party delivery service providers, now including Grubhub. This integration builds on Grubhub and Olo’s existing relationship where Grubhub orders are directly sent to restaurants’ point-of-sale system via Olo Rails.

Olo Dispatch seamlessly selects service providers, including in-house couriers, based on optimal price, timing, availability, and other criteria. Olo’s automated matching technology enables restaurants to get orders out the door and into the hands of customers faster and in the most cost-efficient way. With Dispatch, brands can quickly deploy delivery at a national scale with integration into their POS and kitchen production systems. This allows brands to strengthen direct relationships with their customers while offering a convenient and branded delivery experience through their own channels.

“As demand for digital ordering and delivery grows across third-party and owned channels, we’re proud to expand how we support our merchant partners and create more earning opportunities for Grubhub’s delivery partners,” said Kyle Emmett, senior director of retail media and merchant solutions at Grubhub. “With our nationwide delivery network, we help merchants manage their delivery operations, reduce costs, and better meet customer demands.”

“At Olo, we always strive to do what’s best for our customers, and adding a great partner like Grubhub to our Dispatch network is a perfect example,” said Kacie Gonzalez, vice president of product partnerships at Olo. “Giving restaurant brands more delivery service provider options gives them more flexibility, reliability, and competitive pricing, while allowing them to grow their direct ordering channels and own their guest relationships.”

This integration with Olo Dispatch joins Grubhub’s On-Demand Delivery and Supplemental Delivery services that help restaurants easily scale up their delivery operations when it’s needed most. For more information on Grubhub’s delivery services, visit here.

About Grubhub
Grubhub is a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting customers with their favorite local restaurants, merchants and convenience retailers. Grubhub elevates online ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Part of Wonder Group, Grubhub features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

About Olo | Hospitality at Scale™
Olo (NYSE: OLO) is a leading restaurant technology provider with ordering, payment, and guest engagement solutions that help brands increase orders, streamline operations, and improve the guest experience. Each day, Olo processes millions of orders on its open SaaS platform, gathering the right data from each touchpoint into a single source—so restaurants can better understand and better serve every guest on every channel, every time. Over 700 restaurant brands trust Olo and its network of more than 400 integration partners to innovate on behalf of the restaurant community, accelerating technology’s positive impact and creating a world where every restaurant guest feels like a regular. Learn more at olo.com.